Reading certainly came in mightily useful, there." "And you must also remember, Roger," Oswald said with a smile, "that if it had not been that you read and wrote, better than most of the other monks, the abbot would not have picked you out as my instructor, I should not have asked for you to come with me to Scotland, and Sir Henry Percy would never have begged the abbot to allow you to go forth into the world." "Say no more, Master Oswald--never again will I say a word against reading and writing--I see that they are excellent things, and it never entered my thick head how greatly I have benefited by acquiring them--but will maintain, against all who say the contrary, that they are of great value; and that they in no way tend to soften a man, as I can prove in my own person, and also in yours." At this moment, Mary Forster appeared at the top of the steps.
"Supper is ready," she said.

"I have broken the news to the girls.

They are quite broken hearted, poor things, and I have sent them to bed.
"I suppose you are not leaving us, tomorrow morning, Oswald ?" "No, I shall be off at daybreak, the next day.

I must not stay longer, for I ought to have been back three days ago, and Sir Henry will be wondering what has befallen me." Talking the matter over, that evening, as to what had best be done with the girls, Mary Forster said that they had expressed great anxiety to get back, as soon as they could, in order that they might try and comfort their father, and nurse Allan; and John Forster said that he would ride with them, with four of his men, to Hiniltie, in a day or two.

The next evening, however, there was a knock at the outside gate; and on its being opened, Adam Armstrong himself entered.
"I could not rest, for thinking of the girls," he said, as he entered the house.